When Tam High junior Sean Haechler began swimming in eighth grade, it was a way for the competitive skiier to stay in shape — until a year ago, when he decided to make swimming his focus.

"I still can't answer this for myself," Haechler said about the reasons for the switch. "High school swimming really opened a new world to me. I realized that I could compete at a higher level of swimming."

Haechler had already reached a high level of skiing, having competed at the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association's freestyle junior nationals in the moguls event, but has aspirations toward college swimming.

Once Haechler made the decision to change his focus he quickly made up for lost time, joining the Marin Pirates club team the day after the Tam water polo team exited the North Coast Section playoffs last fall.

"It's a big step going from high school swimming to year-round," said Haechler, who swims the 50- and 100-yard butterfly and the 200 individual medley.

His commitment to the club team limits the amount of time Haechler spends with his Tam teammates, but when he's there, he's there 100 percent.

"He's so into what he does," teammate Eliot Ordway said. "It totally transfers from his club practices to our practices."

Haechler makes an impact with everyone on the team, Ordway said, especially the underclassmen.

"It's great for the younger guys," he said. "It's great to see someone who hasn't been swimming for that long, who's already improved so much and gotten so fast."

Haechler improved so much that he qualified for the USA Swimming junior national winter championships in Orlando, Fla., after only a few months with the Pirates.

"He wasn't ready made but he was a long way along the path when I got him," Pirates coach Warren Lager said. "He's the kind of kid that, once he makes his mind up about something, he's going to put his whole heart and soul into it and that's why he's had success."

"(Competing in Orlando) felt pretty amazing," Haechler said. "It was a whole new experience. "...It was intimidating at first but I was also really excited."

Haechler didn't get the times he was hoping for, but relished the opportunity to compete.

"The bonds I had with all the other junior nationals swimmers was pretty incredible," he said.

And now, he can focus on the team that inspired his love of the sport.

"I have big hopes for our MCAL meet," Haechler said, referring to the league finals in May, where the Red-tailed Hawks hope to defend as champions.

Weber, who took over as coach after the departure of Dave Beutel, has created a smooth transition.

"He has a different coaching strategy but I think he's really focusing on teaching us how to swim and not just giving us a ridiculous amount of yardage," Haechler said.